Residents in Phibsborough have been handed a major victory after An Bord Pleanala withdrew from a judicial review on plans for 207 apartments on the Royal Canal.
The Cross Guns campaign was launched by the Shandon Residents Association and Leinster Street North Residents Association over the last two years over plans for "Royal Canal Towers". It would have seen 207 apartments in buildings between four and 12 stories high.
The site it would have been built on is locally known as the Old Bakery site. A judicial review was funded by locals after concerns were raised about the build-to-rent development.
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It was confirmed two weeks ago that ABP had conceded on the concerns being raised by residents. The Cross Guns campaign issued a statement on the major victory yesterday and outlined why the review was sought.
They said: "With the help of Fred Logue Solicitors, we had challenged the quantum and height of the proposed development on the Cross Guns site on six separate legal grounds. An Bord Pleanála solicitors have conceded specifically on one of the grounds, which challenged the adequacy of daylight in the living spaces of the proposed apartments - a result of over-development and sub-standard design of the application.
"The Judicial Review was not a step taken lightly by us in the midst of a housing emergency. We strongly believe the site is capable of providing affordable housing, which would sensitively address its built environment and the fragile ecosystems of the Royal Canal. The previous planning permission for the site, granted to the owner Bindford Ltd, had demonstrated the type of housing the community would support.
"We wish to thank our community who helped to fund this Judicial Review and supported us for the past two years. We have shown the power of the community activism in the fight for proper people-centered planning development."
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